FITCHBURG -- The New Players Theatre Guild opens with its annual Cabaret Night on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances on Sunday at 2 p.m. and shows on Feb. 16 and 17.

This year's show, "Sentimental Journey," is a presentation of the best of the New Players' portfolio of past cabarets.

I spoke with musical director Bob Healy and director Doreen Croteau by phone on Monday about the production.

"We went back through 34 years. The guild has been in existence since 1976, and around 1979-80 we began presenting cabaret-style shows for the community," said Healy, who will perform the familiar comedic number from "Spamalot" called "You Won't Succeed on Broadway if You Don't Have Any Jews."

Healy, who lives in Lunenburg, said the show will include Tony Award winning numbers, USO-style numbers, Westerns and more.

"We looked at the numbers that stood out," said Healy.

He pointed out that the company's soprano, Nancy King, will perform a lovely song from "Ragtime" called "You Are Your Daddy's Son," and tenor Jonathan Wright will perform "O Solo Mio."

"There will be a medley from 'Jersey Boys' and 'Sister Act,' and a Tony Award-winning piece from 'The Producers,'" said Healy, who thanked Croteau for also coordinating costuming.

The gentlemen in the cast will don tuxes, and the ladies will be decked out in formal dress, a look Healy explained is the standard dress for a show such as "Sentimental Journey.

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Rehearsals began in late December and kicked into high gear just after the new year. Croteau explained that one of the biggest challenges has been accommodating a community theater cast, most of whom have full-time day jobs. Nonetheless, Healy and Croteau have worked successfully around this by rehearsing the chorus on Sundays, the group numbers on Tuesdays, and the soloists on Thursdays.

Both Croteau and Healy have enjoyed working alongside pianist Jay Rainey of Gardner and drummer Bill Larkin of Orange and are happy to have skilled technicians Marc Morrison and Bard Connally on sound and lights.

"The nice thing about having a cabaret kind of variety allows many performers to get a shot at singing solo," said Healy, who retired from teaching in Leominster eight years ago.

Although Healy said he loves directing straight musicals, he also enjoys the flexibility that performing a cabaret offers.

"You can choose what you want," said Healy, who also directs the theater program at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg.

"People don't realize how much talent there is around," he said, giving accolades to this cast, which he says has been easy.

"When we take those final bows, I would hope that everyone who's in the production is proud for a professional-level performance and that the audience will come away feeling entertained and enjoying the experience."

Croteau, from Fitchburg, said, "It's been wonderful working with Bob for the past 30-plus years."

Both directors are longtime members of the New Players. During her high school and college years, Croteau performed with the Wallace Youth Theater. In the early 1980s, a friend invited her to audition for a part in a New Players Theatre Guild production. The rest is NPTG history, and this is Croteau's third show in the role of director.

"I've learned a lot from Bob," she said, adding, "Bob is the musical brains ... a lot of people don't read music, and Bob is very good at working with those singers."

Croteau said she thrives on comedy, quipping, "I'm doing a number I love -- '100 Easy Ways to Lose a Man.' We're having a blast!"

"The laughter, the joy, when things come together," make it all worth becoming involved in community theater, said Croteau, who describes NPTG as more of a family than a theater group.

"We wanted to do something celebratory in honor of our new venue," she said, "so we picked 'Sentimental Journey' as a tribute to our recently renovated performing arts center, which we love and are very fortunate to have."

The New Players Theatre Guild Center for the Performing Arts is at 15 Rollstone St.

To make reservations contact Jeanie Storrs at 978-537-5100, ext. 28 or jstorrs@c21realtyteam.com. Tickets are $15 and $12 for senior citizens.

Weekend Best Bets

Musical Theater

Avenue Q: By Robert Lopez and Jeff Mark, presented by Stratton Players at the Dukakis Performing Arts Center at Monty Tech; a fundraiser to benefit the Stratton Playhouse Rebuilding Fund to replace the historical theater lost to a fire more than a year ago, performances are February 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and February 24 at 2 p.m.; tickets $25; visit www.strattonplayers.com for more information or call 978-345-6066.

* Peter Yarrow: Formerly of Peter, Paul & Mary, Yarrow's music holds a message of humanity, with songs "Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Day is Done," "Light One Candle" and "The Great Mandala," Peter's work as a solo artist encourages change for the better; Saturday, 8 p.m.

* Vocalist Janice D and the Workingman's Band: A musical tribute to rock and pop icons of the 1950s and 1960s, featuring songs from Patsy Cline, Peggy Lee, The Shirelles, Etta James and more; Saturday, 8 to 11 p.m.

* Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Alan Goodrich: Sunday, 7 p.m.

* Vocalist and harmonica wizard, Hatrack Gallagher: Joined by the Second Line Swamp Rockers to celebrate Fat Tuesday, includes New Orleans funky jazz, rhythm and blues; 8 to 11 p.m.

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